A good meal can make a great trip. Whether you’re fueling up for the day’s adventure, taking a well-earned lunch break, or celebrating a fun-filled day, there are few things more satisfying than sitting down to savor an incredible meal—especially on vacation.
Fortunately, you have no shortage of options when you visit Madras, Oregon—a working-class farming community of about 7,800 that brings together appetizing cuisines and innovative dishes from around the world. On any given day, your choices include hearty comfort food, fresh Mexican fare, wood-fired pizzas, creative smoothies, and more.
To help plan your perfect vacation, we’ve brought together some of the best places to eat in Madras, Oregon:
Keep reading for a look at some of the best restaurants in Madras, Oregon.
Top-Rated Restaurants in Madras
If you’re looking for quality food in Madras, Oregon, you have plenty of standout restaurants to choose from. Here are a few top-rated eateries to get you started.
The Spot
In late 2024, The Spot debuted in Madras—bringing a sense of community to its brand-new downtown digs and offering an innovative dining experience. The two-story venue hosts outdoor fire pits, on-site food trucks, an in-house kitchen dishing modern American fare, and a bar that pours local craft beers, regional wines, and creative cocktails. Ideal for date nights and casual dinners, The Spot keeps its good vibes going with karaoke nights, trivia contests, Bingo games, live music, and other community-minded events.
Great Earth Cafe & Market
When you’re looking for quality food options that won’t weigh you down, Great Earth Café & Market delivers plenty of satisfying options in downtown Madras. The café is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily—with a vegetarian-friendly menu that includes breakfast burritos, smoothies, soups, sandwiches, salads, and more.
Black Bear Diner
The Black Bear Diner in Madras is synonymous with hearty portions of comfort food classics—making it one of the most popular stops in town.
Start with a stick-to-your-ribs breakfast in Madras, Oregon. The beloved regional chain, with multiple locations across Central Oregon, gets your day started with all the classic American diner specialties—including scrambles, omelets, pancakes, waffles, and French toast. The rest of the day, Black Bear Diner’s expansive menu spotlights burgers, sandwiches, hulking salads, and a traditional, meat-forward slate of steaks, meatloaf, pot roast, slow-roasted prime rib (on Fridays and Saturdays), and other dinner dishes.
Top Mexican Restaurants in Madras
Roughly 36% of the Madras population identifies as Hispanic or Latino—more than the national average of 20%. That influence shows up in Madras restaurants serving a wide range of Mexican dishes in a variety of enjoyable atmospheres.
Mazatlán Mexican Restaurant
For generations of diners, Mazatlán Mexican Restaurant has been the go-to in town for classic Mexican dishes, house-made salsas, and flavorful margaritas. Mazatlán’s extensive menu features a variety of burritos with your choice of meats, enchiladas, more than a dozen seafood items, and sizzling fajitas. The Madras Mexican restaurant sits at the northern edge of town and boasts both a colorful interior—complete with tiled tables and detailed murals—as well as a spacious patio that’s perpetually packed on sunny afternoons.
Rio Distinctive Mexican Cuisine
Rio Distinctive Mexican Cuisine is a community staple in Madras—cherished for its outdoor patio, family-friendly vibes, and creative takes on traditional Mexican dishes. Start with house-made guacamole that’s prepared tableside—and, from there, choose among burritos, chile rellenos, enchiladas, carne asada, and other modern dishes.
Rio also specializes in creative seafood items, which show up all over the menu; a few highlights include tacos prepared with breaded fish fillets and enchiladas that are stuffed with tiger prawns and covered with a lobster cream sauce.
Still hungry? Find your next favorite meal with our look at the top Mexican restaurants in Redmond and Madras.
Top American Cuisine in Madras
A whole host of Madras, Oregon, restaurants serve classic meals alongside regional brews, tasty cocktails, and creative pizzas. Here are a few local favorites to whet your appetite.
Whiskey Pie at New Basin Distilling Company
Indulge in wood-fired favorites from Whiskey Pie Pizza, which slings its pies at New Basin Distilling Company near the northern edge of Madras.
The food truck takes a creative approach to its rotating cast of pizzas—some of which might be topped with macaroni and cheese, meatballs with fresh basil, chicken and a sweet Thai sauce, or even chicken nuggets and waffle pieces. Of course, more traditional pizzas are available—as are Mexican-inspired bar snacks that include wood-fired nachos, tostadas, and chips and salsa. Whatever you order, it all goes well with New Basin’s locally distilled spirits.
Charlie’s Pizza
Charlie’s Pizza is a long-standing, family-run pizzeria that serves a variety of creative pies alongside a menu of Mexican classics.
The friendly retreat is known for its specialty pies, including one that blends its globetrotting influences: The eatery’s Mexican pizza comes topped with lettuce, tomatoes, olives, and a choice of regular or mild salsa. Meanwhile, the restaurant’s Everything Pizza sports 17 toppings—including anchovies, smoked oysters, and shrimp. If you’re in the mood for Mexican, Charlie’s serves tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and other classic fare.
Looking for a New Restaurant?
Check out Savor, our high-quality printed guide for culinary options throughout the region.
Top Coffee Shops & Bakeries in Madras
Easing into the day? Grabbing a quick bite on your way to the trailhead? Either way, a few coffee shops and bakeries get you going with hot drinks, breakfast items, and grab-and-go fare.
Eagle Bakery
The family-run Eagle Bakery crafts scratch-made breads, pastries, and other light bites at the western edge of downtown Madras—with a wood-paneled interior that invites lingering if you’re not in a rush to start your day. The bakery’s menu includes various breads, pies, cakes (the carrot cake is a local favorite), brownies, cookies, and more—but is best known for its hulking cinnamon rolls topped with a sweet maple frosting.
Keep in mind that Eagle Bakery, based in a converted house, is only open Fridays and Saturdays—so plan accordingly.
Coppers Coffee Co.
Get a quick pick-me-up at Coppers Coffee Co. The stylish coffee shop in Madras, Oregon, serves light breakfast dishes, muffins, and pastries—but is a local hotspot for its creative coffee concoctions. In addition to the usual, well-balanced beverages, Coopers routinely spotlights a rotating cast of seasonally inspired drinks. In summer, for instance, that might mean a s’mores mocha crafted with chocolate, marshmallow, and shortbread—or a tropically inspired latte adorned with coconut.
Final Thoughts on the Best Food in Madras
So far, we’ve covered local institutions and hidden gems—all of which serve some of the best food in Madras, Oregon. But since you can’t eat all the time, we’re leaving you with a few suggestions for enjoying the rest of your stay.
First and foremost, check out our guide to the top things to do in and near Madras. The fun includes hikes to frothing waterfalls, a colorful lavender farm, bike trails, museums, and other attractions.
Once you’ve started planning, browse the Madras events calendar to learn about the latest happenings to make the most of your trip—with community events, wine tastings, and more.
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